Report and pics of Wolves 3 Blackburn 1

Nouha Dicko (12) and Bakary Sako (33 and 68) gave Kenny Jackett’s side a win that was tighter than the scoreline suggested as Rovers, who replied through Jordan Rhodes’s 59th-minute penalty, had much of the play.

Wolves had more chances than the visitors and forced Paul Robinson into fine saves from Lee Evans, Matt Doherty and half-time substitute James Henry.

But Carl Ikeme denied Ben Marshall twice and for the first time this season, Wolves didn’t control the game.

Yet they emerged victorious again and go into the international break in third place in the Championship, on the same points as Watford and just one behind leaders Nottingham Forest.

Jackett named an unchanged line-up for the fifth successive League game, which meant new signings Tommy Rowe and George Saville, who were available for the first time, started their Wolves careers on the bench at the expense of Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Liam McAlinden, who injured his calf in training.

Half an hour before kick-off, Wolves board of directors took the plunge when they undertook the ice bucket challenge.

Owner-chairman Steve Morgan, chief executive Jez Moxey and directors John Gough and John Bowater lined up in Wolves tracksuits near the home dugout to receive a soaking from supporters pitchside.

When the action got underway, there was an early booking for Blackburn winger Craig Conway for diving under challenge from Rajiv Van La Parra.

The yellow card set the tone for an untidy first half which was littered with free kicks, mostly against Wolves to leave referee Keith Stroud with a flea in his ear from the home support as he walked off at half-time.

Wolves gained the breakthrough when Dicko rose highest in a crowded box to back-head home Kevin McDonald’s chip.

Dicko started the move for his first League goal of the season by winning the ball off a defender then feeding Bakary Sako.

The Mali winger opted not to shoot early and was driven wide to the left before he found McDonald with a square pass.

Three minutes later there was a scare for Wolves when Danny Batth’s clearance cannoned off Ben Marshall and looped dangerously towards goal only for Carl Ikeme to produce an acrobatic diving save to save their blushes after Wolves conceded a similar goal at Rotherham recently.

The home side created the next chance when Van La Parra, who was on the end of some uncompromising challenges at times, rolled it wide after being teed up by Sako’s square pass on the edge of the box.

Van La Parra, who had been warned after an earlier tackle, was booked for persistent fouling following an aerial challenge with Craig Conway.

Then came Blackburn’s first chance when Ben Marshall’s low drive was turned around the post by Ikeme in the 26th minute.

Lee Evans surprised keeper Paul Robinson with a fierce drive in the 31st minute, the ball cannoning off his chest.

But Wolves fans didn’t have long to wait for the second goal.

Dave Edwards won the ball with a sliding challenge and was immediately brought crashing down by Grant Hanley near the right-hand corner of the penalty area.

Sako’s brilliant free kick sailed into the far corner of the net without any contact from a crowded box for his second League goal of the season.

There were further half chances for Wolves as Edwards headed wide at the far post from Scott Golbourne’s cross on 39 before Dicko could only slice wide when Sako put him through in space in the inside left position.

Wolves made a half-time switch with James Henry on for Van La Parra, who presumably was injured.

The home side were inches away from making it 3-0 in their first opening of the second period on 48 when Matt Doherty cut inside from the right and exchanged passes with Dicko, the ball rebounding to the full-back and rolling agonisingly wide.

Rovers continued to cause Wolves problems however and the visitors halved the deficit from the spot through Rhodes, whose sidefooted effort sent Ikeme the wrong way.

The penalty came after Batth allowed Rhodes to get the wrong side of him in the area and lunged in, but appeared to win the ball.

Wolves broke to force two chances in quick succession.

First the lively Henry hit Robinson’s legs from point-blank range after Doherty’s cross had been deflected.

Then Dicko could only roll it straight to Robinson from Golbourne’s centre.

Rovers replied with a fierce drive from Ben Marshall but it was straight at Ikeme.

And the hosts made things more comfortable for themselves by restoring their two-goal cushion when Sako drilled home first time with his unfavoured right foot after Dicko did well to hold up play, spin his man and cross from the right side of the area.

Wolves had to be alert defensively though and Ikeme superbly tipped over a rising drive from Conway on 73.

But there were fresh legs to preserve their lead and two debuts as Saville replaced Lee Evans on 79 and Rowe replaced Edwards 10 minutes later and there were no late dramas, despite five minutes of time added on.

youngand hungry

ELDERVO

August 30, 2014 5:28 pm

Dream start to the season, but also thoroughly deserved. We are playing some fantastic football and what a defence we have. Dodgy penalty cost us a clean sheet but apart from that another majestic performance.

Well done today Wolves, didn't think the ref helped, too eager to blow his whistle for me. But three goals & three points will do nicely. Thought Henry did really well when he came on, showed lots of energy & determination.

Reports that Delort was watching Wigan today & finalising details. The striker search seems it won't end with him then?

SEATTLE WOLF

August 31, 2014 3:33 am

Jackettino, in accord with above bullet points, I also heard on one of the earlier WM Football Phone-in shows that we are statistically the third youngest team in the division. That speaks volumes., and bodes very, very well for the long term future; Jackett wants to birth and breed a culture with these young guns and bring them through, and try to accomplish things. Thus, you just know he will be staying for a good long spell.

Jackett the Hat

August 31, 2014 10:08 am

I echo that Seattle......there's not a single person connected to the club who isn't happy with the progress so far. I also get the feeling that Wolves fans are seeing the development and are a lot more patient to the fact that this is not something achievable overnight .

We all want to see a young , ambitious , stylish side with as many academy graduates as possible, proud to wear the gold shirt and not just here for big pay days. We can see that Kenny Jackett is the best candidate to deliver this, it's sort of his 'baby' if you like.......so if Wulfies are in agreement with that ....then surely another look at his contract should be next. Call me old school if you like, but I don't sit comfortable with this one year rolling scenario, it comes across as a system for clubs who have no confidence in their appointment . Surely it ain't goin against the grain to get Kenny signed up to a more solid 5- year contract, let's face it, he can't do much more to earn one can he !

CoRnIsHWoLf

August 30, 2014 7:28 pm

It seems it's true about Delort.....

Jackett is keen to strengthen his squad with a new striker before Monday night but revealed Wolves were unable to agree a with the French club Tours, for striker Andy Delort, who is poised to join Wigan.

Jackett added: "We put a bid in for Andy Delort but we weren't been able to close that deal. It was a considerable bid."

whitmore wolf

August 30, 2014 6:03 pm

They didn't dominate play as the E & S have said above, according to BBC website it was 50/50, we dominated the first half and they the second half, We look so comfortable at times, I thought Blackburn came to stifle the game and had to come out to play as soon as we scored. It was nice to have a short glimpse of Rowe. UTW

CoRnIsHWoLf

August 30, 2014 6:36 pm

I must have a different report to you as I don't see where it says they dominated! They did have the ball more than other teams against us this season although in the first half we could've converted a couple more chances & been well clear. Penalty seemed harsh but the quick reply from Sako gave the game a deserved scoreline.

Stearmans overhead kick

August 30, 2014 8:28 pm

Agree CornisHWolf, Dominate nah, They fancied it for a spell after their goal. But I thought we controlled it even then. Well done to all concerned Wolves pitch side Enjoying and getting my moneys worth again.

baza

karlwolves

August 30, 2014 6:09 pm

Great first half dont know what happened second half may be Blackburn manager gave them a rollicking that worked, we should of been out of sight by half time. but up to Sako second goal we could of thrown it away. But at the end of the day 3 great points against another one of the promotion favorites.

Ye Olde South Bank

August 30, 2014 6:13 pm

Well done, boys! You did a fabulous job, especially given that you were playing against twelve........

I just wish people would get off their backsides and get down Molineux, though. This team are not only a young, developing, classy and very stylish outfit, but they're also quite clearly fully committed to Mr. Jackett and the Gold 'n' Black cause. Makes a HUGE change from the time-wasters we've seen in previous years, eh? Give them the backing they DESERVE please, because, trust me, we're going places under this regime.

Ye Olde South Bank

August 31, 2014 11:19 am

Nice one, Orlando. You'll be glad you made the trip once you witness for yourself the well-oiled machine that Kenny's assembling. An outstanding defensive unit; a silky smooth, fluent midfield; lightning counter-attacking; set-piece threats; commitment to the cause....oh, and no little skill AND huge confidence to boot. This is the most exciting young side I've seen in many, many years. The change in the club's ethos, attitude and view of itself isn't so much 'massive' as astounding. Quite simply, the 'New Wolves' bears no resmeblance to what came before: A quite astounding turnaround.

Modern play that is tailored perfectly for our Premier League ambitions: Who'd ever have believed it, especially in so short a time?

Welcome 'home', Orlando. You're in for a very pleasant surprise, aer kid.... ;-)

Solentwolves

August 30, 2014 6:27 pm

Good to go into the international break on a high note. Well done lads. Pity if the Delort/Wigan reports are true. Still, there must be a "gem" out there somewhere, waiting to be discovered - if not this time, maybe next. UTW

Ye Olde South Bank

paul mills mills

Bruce, Trinidad

August 30, 2014 7:07 pm

Great to see us scoring plenty of goals at last. It is always better to win easily even if not dominating games than scrape 1-0 wins with 60 or 70% possession: if the opposition sneaks a goal then possession does not count for much (as at Rotherham).

We can now go into the international break in great shape.

One black spot. Why crowds of only 21,000 when we are doing so well. At the end of last season we were attracting 30,000. Where have the other 9,000 gone? Derby, Norwich, Brighton, Forest are all getting good support. Why not us?

thedoog

Jackett the Hat

August 31, 2014 10:20 am

Sorry Doog but you've misread those signs, it's Blackpool that's sold out and was sold out after only a few days.

As to the attendances, the feedback seems to be financial . It ain't cheap watchin football especially with two home games back to back and there are just too many supporters , not just in Wolvo, who can't afford it.

mardygit

August 30, 2014 7:20 pm

12 points out of 15, what a great start to the season. The pleasing thing about this is, we are getting better game by game. If we go up this season we will be the first club to have a double relegation from the top flight followed by 2 promotions back to the top flight, how brilliant would that be. I hope this international break coming up does not knock us off the boil. COME ON WOLVES.

Cookley Wolf

August 30, 2014 7:22 pm

A really good test for us today - I think Blackburn looked the best side we've played so far, and we certainly didn't dominate with possession as we have against other teams recently. However, we rose to the challenge and had the strength of character to impose ourselves on the game. Once again the defence was superb - Batth was a bit unlucky with the penalty but in fairness to Blackburn they didn't deserve to lose three - nil. More importantly we took some of our chances in front of goal at long last.

I would struggle to name a weak link in the team at the moment, all the lads are putting the proverbial shift in, and all seem to know exactly what is expected of them in their roles. Furthermore we have become a very difficult side to beat. Roll on next week!

Ritchie Wolves

Ye Olde South Bank

August 31, 2014 11:55 am

Rovers were the best side so far, bud....and it's precisely this type of game that really demonstrates the immense progress this young Wolves team are making.

Gotta keep level-headed and our feet on the floor, but the potential is there for all to see. If there's only one thing more exciting than seeing a finished product, then it's actually witnessing the evolution of that product....and that's where we're at. Keep it going, Kenny, boy!

Stearmans overhead kick

Albrightondek

August 30, 2014 8:07 pm

This was a hard fought win against a tough Blackburn side. Wolves deserved all three points simply because they made the most of their chances. Of the four league games, this was the probably the most impressive.

I suppose Sako will get the man-of-the-match award because he had a hand in all three goals. I don't begrudge him the award if he wins it, but all the other players were on the top of their game and contributed to this win. The defence in particular were resolute in their defending. On the few occasions when Blackurn did get shots on goal, Ikeme was equal to it.

I'm pretty sure that La Parra was taken off at half time because he had been booked and committed another foul just before the break. One more errant tackle and he would almost certainly have received a second yellow card. It didn't matter as Henry came on and had a fine 45 minutes plus on the right.

We're winning games, we're playing good football, and we're third in the league - I'm a happy man!

Albrightondek

Tomwolf

August 30, 2014 8:14 pm

Another very good win today, plus two goals by Sako. I still have a nagging suspicion that with all the wingers we've got, or players in the squad who can operate wide aswell, that someone like Leicester will come in for Sako, before Monday's deadline. They know we want Wood,so may offer him as bait. I hope im wrong. But having said that, I think the friendship of Dicko on and off the pitch could persuade Sako to stay. I dont see why we can't be the surprise team to sneak an automatic promotion place, at the first time of asking, it's early days I know. Its a pity its International weekend coming, as we're on a roll, but how many times do we struggle after International games? UTW:

Albrightondek

August 31, 2014 9:58 am

Tom - I thought there might have been some attempt by a premiership club to buy Sako maybe a week or so ago. The usual format is to offer a low bid, wait until it's rejected, and then offer something more realistic which may or may not be successful.

Now I rather doubt that will happen, as it's far to close to the deadline for those kind of shenanigans. As far as Wood is concerned, I understand he ruled himself out a move to Molineux because he couldn't or wouldn't agree terms.

It probably does help that our two french speaking players Dicko and Sako get on so well both on and off the pitch. Unlike last season, Sako seems more settled and hasn't shown much inclination to move to another club.

But your last point about the international break is a concern for me as well. Sometimes these breaks work in a clubs favour, allowing injured players time to recover. But for some reason Wolves have a tendancy to struggle to pick up from where they left off. Lets hope it doesn't happen this time.

Sir Billy Quiet

chris h

August 30, 2014 8:23 pm

Excellent. Once again positives all over the pitch. We had on the face of it a difficult first five games and we have won four and were unlucky to lose the other one. Well done to everybody, especially Kenny Jackett.

derbyshirewolf

I can't help but agree with all the positive comments pouring out. Confidence and trust in your colleagues maximises your performance, as today showed.

Make no bones about it , Blackburn were a very skilful team going forward, and often, their own abilities nullified our own, developing possession and passing game.

The difference lay in this tale of two defences: theirs shaky when pressurised by us: ours rock solid, resolute and really well drilled, with a superb work rate from both the back, and the midfield cover. How different to two seasons ago, when we would have collapsed amid recriminations under such pressure.

I lost count of the number of superb blocks made, a factor pointing to this superb teamwork, and such high levels of fitness. It was a thoroughly deserved victory, against a team that will be there or thereabouts this season. Hard to pick out a M.O.T.M today, though I thought that Baath, Stearman, and Ikeke were immense.

Ritchie Wolves

Jackett the Hat

August 31, 2014 7:20 pm

Dicko worked hard mate and was roughed up from time to time aswell but Dave Edwards was superb all round the pitch. I'd love to know the stats on how much ground he actually covers......there's a few, me included, that have changed their opinions of him.

Ritchie Wolves

UTW1877

August 30, 2014 8:52 pm

Very good to watch and looking composed all over the pitch. Could have been 3 up by half time, and could have had a couple more in second half. Blackburn changed shape after half time and put us under a bit more pressure, but we dealt pretty well with it despite the fan's anxiety. Kevin McDonald continues to excel in midfield and the defence look well organised, with big Carl looking cool behind them. Great for Dicko to grab his first and ran the line well, Sacko is looking the business and looks a threat when we come forward. Well played the boys, and thanks Kenny for the great job you are doing.

len

Billy Wright&#039;s Biscuit Tin

August 30, 2014 8:54 pm

Another excellent and encouraging performance against a pretty dirty Blackburn side who, once they had worked out that the miserable little ref was open to giving free kicks, dived all over the place. The penalty was harsh but with that ref, it was a given. Good to see Saville and Rowe get a run out but too early to really assess them.

Ritchie Wolves

August 30, 2014 9:20 pm

Good win as all wins are, I thought our guys did well considering the officials kept Blackburn in the game for their very good spells in the first half and for 20 minutes in the second half. From where we were sitting I would score them a poor 3out of ten however, we showed good resilience, kept cool and showed good temperament.

Billy Wright&#039;s Biscuit Tin

August 31, 2014 9:57 am

Another extremely encouraging performance against a dirty Blackburn side whose propensity to dive grew in leaps and bounds as soon as they worked out that the weaselly little ref was open to giving free kicks at the slightest hint of a foul. He scuttled about the pitch like an animated hobbit. Good to see Saville and Rowe get a run out but too early to really see their potential. Mr Jackett continues to make sensible and thoughtful decisions but I would like to see us get another striker to give us some cover.

DancesWithWolves

August 31, 2014 10:17 am

Great result of course and further confirmation of our impressive progress under KJ. If the rumour above about JOH is true (gor rid of him for breach of contract?) then full marks to Wolves in taking an aggressive stance. I've felt that Jamie's antics in leaving night clubs worse for wear must be in breach of his contract in some way. What sort of message does such layabout behaviour send out to our youngsters?

Farmer Ted

August 31, 2014 10:27 am

Blackburn definitely the toughest test yet but defensively Wolves were superb in most departments.

One thing that baffles me is Blackburn had clearly done there homework on La Parra and were double marking him; so they must also have been aware of Sako's free kicks. Why then, in such a dangerous position did they only put up a two man wall? ....and they stood a yard apart! We all saw the result. If the chicken farmers have learned anything about football then feathers will be flying.

One thought for Jack as he tries to ignore the back pages over his cornflakes. Good job you don't have to play Wolves at present otherwise your next manager would be required now instead of at Christmas.

Lobo para siempre

Pembrokeshire Wolf

September 1, 2014 12:57 am

I'm in my seventies and a long way away, but I managed to attend my first match of the season yesterday. Set off at 6.15 on Sat morning and have just got back. My thoughts:-

What a pleasure to watch this Wolves side. A young side who play with method, spiirit, togetherness and who look as if they are happy at their work. Thank-you, Kenny, from the bottom of my heart, for the transformation you have brought about since your arrival at the club - I agree with those who say you deserve the reward of a new, improved and long-term contract.

With regard to the match itself, I thought it was a well-deserved win with the whole team on top of their game. It was inevitable that Sako would be named MotM, but what of the others?

Ikeme - excellent game with a couple of brilliant saves, especially from the blocked clearance

Docherty - I can now see why he is keeping Sam out. Wonderful game

Batth - what a player he is turning out to be; slight slip before penalty but appeared to play the ball in the tackle

Stearman - after all the ups and downs of recent years, he's become a real star

Goldbourne - very good going forward

Evans - been playing really well, I understand, but maybe not his best game

McDonald - what can I say? This man is a diamond - plays superbly every game

VLP - I know he's played well. Slightly disappoinnting yesterday, but a great buy

Edwards - a great servant and beginning to get the appreciation he deserves. Excellent again

sue

sue

September 2, 2014 12:28 pm

Sorry didn't mean Victoria Road is now Lyndale Park.It's all lies I wasn't born in Victoria Road I was born in Hilton Street,so not really Wednesfield, My husband says I talk nonsense so I suppose this backs him up!!!!